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Mt. Everest's base camp, despite its name, is an arrival point itself. Hikers and trekkers from all over the world visit Nepal just to make it to this base camp, from which only a few well-prepared and brave adventurers continue on to attempt to summit the mountain. Climb through the high-elevation region of the Sherpas, Khumbu Valley, and arrive at a fantastic view of Everest's peak.

The Off-Season

The cold, dark winter season at Everest starts in late November and stretches to the end of February. Temperatures hover between 0 and 4 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and get much colder at night. Besides temperature, wind is a major consideration; its speed fluctuates from eight to 12 mph at base camp during the winter, with hurricane-force winds spiraling around the summit during the same season. The temperature and wind combine to create a wind chill temperature of below -148 degrees at the summit, making it impossible to climb during the autumn and winter seasons. Everest's base camp, with its milder wind and temperatures, is still accessible, but it is the end of the road for even the bravest winter trekkers.

Spring Climbing Season

From the beginning of March until early May, temperatures start to climb from 10 up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind declines to around five or six mph. As in the wintertime, humidity remains low, but climbers still don't set out for the summit due to the windy, unpredictable conditions at the top of Everest. Instead, hikers and trekkers make their way around base camp and the Khumbu Valley, led by Sherpas or Western guides. By the end of May, a summit climbing window opens that lasts roughly from May 20 to June 6. Temperatures at base camp are in the low 20s Fahrenheit, and conditions at the summit finally become calm enough for serious expeditions.

Summer

Although temperatures from June until the end of September remain stable at around 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, summer is not a good time to travel to Everest. Base camp experiences its own version of the Nepalese summer monsoon, with humidity nearing 100 percent daily, causing almost constant snowfall or rainfall. Although the summit it generally dry during this season, climbers wait until the short autumn climbing window to make trips to the summit.

Autumn Climbing Season

The other main climbing and trekking season occurs from early October until late November. At 10 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, Everest's base camp is balmy, with winds hovering between five and seven mph. Humidity returns to the winter lows of about 20 percent, keeping trekkers mostly dry in the valley and on expeditions to the summit. The summit climbing season is a window roughly from October 1 to 20, and a visit to base camp around this time provides introductions to the brave souls determined to reach the peak.

Nepal Entry Information

Although American citizens entering Nepal will require a visa, you can arrange it upon arrival in Kathmandu, provided that your passport will be valid for at least six months after your trip. Bring a passport photo and some cash for your visa-on-arrival. Multiple entry visas can be purchased for stays of 15 days, one month or three months at different prices.

About the Author

Emily Manthei holds a masters degree from the University of Edinburgh and has written for publications as diverse as the "Oxford Journal of Theological Studies," "Emanuel Levy Film Reviews," "USA Today" and "Northern Express Magazine." She also writes screenplays for short and feature films.

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